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December 2025 Public Health E-Newsletter 

This respiratory virus season, remember that immunity protects your community

As we enter December, 'tis the season ... to get your flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines - it's not too late! Most people could benefit from seasonal vaccines to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, but you can check out more detailed vaccine guidance here. Public health officials also recommend checking in with your healthcare provider for guidance specific to you and your family members. 

Though a vaccine does not guarantee you won't get a virus, it helps make your symptoms milder and more manageable if you do. Plus, it lowers the chance that you'll spread a virus to others who are more vulnerable and at risk of severe illness or hospitalization. Email us or give us a call at 708.358.5480 if you have questions about how to access a vaccine.

Vaccines have been in the news quite a bit lately, and federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recently made statements about childhood vaccines and their relationship to autism. Read below to learn more about what our state public health officials have to say. 

Illinois Department of Public Health responds to CDC's claims on vaccines and autism

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently released the following statement from Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in response to changes made on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website making unfounded claims regarding vaccines and autism:

“In Illinois, we follow scientific evidence, and the science is clear: vaccines are safe, effective, and save lives. Unfortunately, the nation is seeing our federal government, once again, reject established research and cause confusion about long debunked claims between autism and vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website was changed to add inaccurate information linking vaccines to autism.

“More than 40 high-quality studies, involving millions of individuals, have shown no link between vaccines and autism. At the same time, both real-world experience and decades of research confirm that vaccines safely and reliably prevent diseases like Measles, Influenza, Chickenpox, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Polio, and more. Without vaccination, these infections can lead to severe complications including pneumonia, brain swelling, paralysis, and death.

“Disinformation not only undermines trust; it may discourage families from seeking the protection that routine immunizations provide. It also perpetuates harmful stigma against individuals with autism and their families, while doing nothing to advance scientific understanding. People with autism are valued members of our communities, and they deserve our respect.

“In Illinois, we remain committed to evidence-based practices and credible, transparent communication. For more information about vaccines, visit the IDPH Immunization page or ask your healthcare provider.”

Last Narcan training of 2025

Join our last Narcan training of 2025 at the Community Recreation Center (CRC) Saturday, Dec. 6 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The free training is led by our experienced and knowledgeable trainer, Sheila Haennicke. It lasts approximately 90 minutes and is suitable for all community members, regardless of previous experience or expertise. It covers harm reduction principles, how to recognize an overdose, how Narcan works and how to administer it to an overdose victim — with hands-on practice included. All participants will receive a free opioid overdose prevention kit. Sign up here!

We will be planning more training opportunities for 2026, so keep an eye on the Health Beat and the Village’s social media accounts.

Food safety tips for the slow cooker

Slow cookers, also known as crock pots, make preparing a home cooked meal so much easier. Just add the ingredients, set it and forget it. Using a slow cooker is also the coziest way to prepare fall and winter comfort foods.

Have you ever wondered about slow cooker food safety? Here are a few good tips. Check out a complete list here.

• Thaw meat before adding it to the slow cooker. Do not thaw frozen food on the counter. Instead, thaw it in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
• Add veggies to the bottom of the slow cooker and place meat and poultry on top. Vegetables cook slower than meat and poultry in a slow cooker, so put the vegetables in first, for the best quality.
• Start your cooker right after you finish prepping. Do not set a timer to start cooking later in the day. Bacteria can multiply quickly in the parts of the food that reach room temperature before cooking begins.

Keep Warm Illinois

Keep Warm Illinois is a collaboration between several Illinois state agencies, including the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP), the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois Tollway and other agencies.

Check out the Keep Warm Illinois website for:

• Information about how to prepare for winter in Illinois.
• To learn about resources that cleanly and efficiently keep your homes and businesses warm.
• Programs to help with energy bills. 

Volunteer with the Oak Park Medical Reserve Corps

Are you interested in learning new skills while working to keep your family and community safe during disasters?  Consider joining the Village of Oak Park Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)! The Oak Park MRC is a group of local volunteers who donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies, as well as supporting ongoing preparedness initiatives. Examples include staffing cooling/warming shelters during extreme temperatures, assisting with vaccination clinics and re-stocking Narcan boxes. Depending on your level of interest, there are different tiers of involvement you can choose. Click here to learn about becoming an Oak Park MRC Volunteer!

World AIDS Day 2025 

The HIV/AIDS community was impacted on a global scale this year when U.S. foreign aid dollars, including HIV prevention funds, were put in jeopardy and in some cases eliminated. About 2.5 million people worldwide accessed HIV prevention medicines in 2024, but 2025's sudden funding cuts disrupted access to this essential tool.​ These cuts lead to a 28% - 65% drop in people starting HIV prevention medications in 13 countries. Addressing HIV requires the full spectrum of interventions, including the vital work of testing and prevention to slow and eliminate HIV transmission. 

Most low-income countries with heavy HIV burdens cannot close resource gaps on their
own. Debt constraints already limit their ability to invest in HIV programs, and funding cuts have further weakened their responses to HIV. 

“Together, we can still end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, if we act with urgency, unity, and unwavering commitment," said Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS.

This World AIDS Day, we are reminded that international cooperation and human-rights-centred approaches are key to not only addressing, but ending the HIV epidemic for all. 

Wishing you a healthy holiday season!

From everyone at the Oak Park Public Health Department, we'd like to thank you for subscribing to and reading our monthly newsletter. We hope you are able enjoy quality time with friends, family and your community this holiday season and look forward a happy, healthy new year!